Reds Pitching Trio Compared To Braves Great Rotation

 

 

 

The Atlanta Brave dominated its division in the 1990's.

They won 11 division titles between 1991 and 2002, winning over 100 games five times with pitchers, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Steve Avery and later added Greg Maddux.

But in 1988, the Braves with Smoltz and Glavine in the rotation lost 106 games.

The Reds and in particular pitching coach, Derek Johnson, is telling Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft that they compare to the Braves trio.

"Us three came up together and we talk about it (as being the foundation of the rotation), you obviously want to look at it as a starting five but it is good internal competition," Lodolo said.

Lodolo (4-7) won all four games after July 10.  He dropped a 5.81 ERA to 3.66 by the end of the season.

"I started to realize what worked," Lodolo said. 

  admited not knowing much about Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz.  "To be honest I've only seen highlights.  I didn't know what they threw.  DJ talked to us about it.  That's how he wants us think about us."

Greene was 5-13 last season in 24 starts.  Glavine lost 17 games in 1988.

"The three of us talk about being the core, everyday," Greene said.  "Last year DJ got us together and brought up the Braves.  Looking at us in that light is pretty special.  Having the friendship but also the competitiveness is exciting.  The chemistry couldn't be better."

Ashcraft didn't start the season with the big league club but joined the rotation on May 22.  He won four of his first five decisions but a minor injury caused him to fade at the end.

"One of our main goals is to make sure we're a unit and staying together. One way to have success is to root for each other but to hold each other accountable.  We haven't really hit that point where someone says you have to do this and that.  We're still feeling it out and taking baby steps.  This is just our second season so we don't have roles yet within our group."

The one player who is most familiar with the Braves trio enough to make the comparison is Tyler Stephenson, an Atlanta native born in 1996.  He was a tot during the Braves hay day but is more familiar.

When asked about the comparison made by Johnson, Stephenson reacted. "Two righties and a lefty, I like it.  Our guys throw harder than they (the Braves) did. I grew up watching the Braves.  They had three Hall of Fame pitchers, so nothing against them.  You look at our guys and what they did in their first year and what they accomplished.  We look for a big jump in year two.  It's going to be fun to be a part of."